Embracing waste as a resource: insights from the informal sector
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to draw insight from a variety of management disciplines to encourage a broader view of the economy as it relates to sustainable waste management (SWM) development.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a framework to describe how strengths can be blended to support environmental sustainability (ES), highlighting the need for community cooperation between the informal and formal sectors of the economy.
Findings
Unique contributions for SWM can emerge from both economic sectors and, when leveraged, may drive community development within local municipalities.
Practical implications
The platform addresses the need for more flexible governmental policies that encourage waste management activities among formal and informal workers.
Originality/value
The paper brings forward typically disregarded ES waste management opportunities that reside within the informal sector, an often overlooked aspect of the broader economy.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Special thanks go to Matthew Gitsham and his colleagues at the Ashridge Business School. Their conference forum set forth an opportunity to create an All Academy symposium and to collectively develop ideas that continue to advance scholarship in the area of ES. The authors are also grateful to Cathy Dubois who was instrumental in orchestrating a successful academy session. Finally, the authors appreciate the support of Amy Knueven and Lucy Sekerka for their helpful suggestions and editorial assistance.
Citation
E. Sekerka, L. and Stimel, D. (2014), "Embracing waste as a resource: insights from the informal sector", Management Research Review, Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 241-260. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-11-2012-0254
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited